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With climate change and anthropic influence on the coastal ecosystems, mangrove ecosystems are disappearing at an alarming rate. Accordingly, it becomes important to track, study, record and store the mangrove microbial community considering their ecological importance and potential for biotechnological applications. Here, we provide information on mangrove fungal community composition and diversity in mangrove ecosystems with different plant species and from various locations differing in relation to anthropic influences. We describe twelve newly assembled genomes, including four chromosomal-level genomes of fungal isolates from the mangrove ecosystems coupled with functional annotations. We envisage that these data will be of value for future studies including comparative genome analysis and large-scale temporal and/or spatial research to elucidate the potential mechanisms by which mangrove fungal communities assemble and evolve. We further anticipate that the genomes represent valuable resources for bioprospecting related to industrial or clinical uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) protein is a crucial biomolecule involved in regulating cell growth, proliferation, migration and differentiation, which is used in various therapeutic applications, such as wound healing and tissue regeneration. The production of recombinant EGF is essential for studying its biological function and for its clinical translation. However, EGF protein expressed in prokaryotic cells often occurs in inclusion bodies, and co-expression with soluble tag protein is an effective method to prepare recombinant EGF. In this study, we expressed recombinant human EGF (rhEGF) fused to a HaloTag (Halo-rhEGF) and a large portion of Halo-rhEGF was found in the soluble fraction. Cell growth assay showed that the purified Halo-rhEGF protein could promote the proliferation of fibroblasts (NIH 3T3) and epithelial cells (HaCaT), and significantly increased their viability. Phosphorylation of the intracellular signaling proteins, ERK1/2 and c-Jun, was stimulated by treatment with Halo-rhEGF and the expression levels of proteins regulating cell proliferation were significantly increased. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that rhEGF could increase the transcription of genes enriched in ribosome generation and cell proliferation. Moreover, Halo-rhEGF can be labelled by HaloTag ligand for fluorescence imaging and can be slowly released in tissue repair by binding to anion biomaterials. In conclusion, HaloTag is an efficient fusion tag for rhEGF protein expression, purification and controlled release, and Halo-rhEGF can promote the proliferation and viability of epithelial and fibroblast cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial infarction results in extensive cardiomyocyte apoptosis, leading to the formation of noncontractile scar tissue. Given the limited regenerative capacity of adult mammalian cardiomyocytes, direct reprogramming of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) into cardiomyocytes represents a promising therapeutic strategy for myocardial repair, and small molecule drugs might offer a more attractive alternative to gene editing approaches in terms of safety and clinical feasibility. This study aimed to reprogram rat CFs into cardiomyocytes using a small molecular chemical mixture comprising CHIR99021, Valproic acid, Dorsomorphin, SB431542, and Forskolin. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed a significant increase in the expression of cardiomyocyte‐specific markers, including cardiac troponin T (cTnT), Connexin 43 (Cx43), α‐actinin, and Tbx5. Changes in intracellular calcium ion levels and Ca2+ signal transfer between adjacent cells were monitored using a calcium ion fluorescence probe. mRNA sequencing analysis demonstrated the upregulation of genes associated with cardiac morphogenesis, myocardial differentiation, and muscle fiber contraction during CF differentiation induced by the small‐molecule compounds. Conversely, the expression of fibroblast‐related genes was downregulated. These findings suggest that chemical‐induced cell fate conversion of rat CFs into cardiomyocyte‐like cells is feasible, offering a potential therapeutic solution for myocardial injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is a critical abiotic stress which leads to crop yield and a decrease in quality. Annexins belong to a multi-gene family of calcium- and lipid-binding proteins and play diverse roles in plant growth and development. Herein, we report a rice annexin protein, OsANN9, which in addition to regular annexin repeats and type-II Ca2+ binding sites, also consists of a C2H2-type zinc-finger domain. We found that the expression of OsANN9 was upregulated by polyethylene glycol (PEG) or water-deficient treatment. Moreover, plants that overexpressed OsANN9 had increased survival rates under drought stress, while both OsANN9-RNAi and osann9 mutants showed sensitivity to drought. In addition, the overexpression of OsANN9 increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities, which regulate reactive oxygen species homeostasis. Collectively, these findings indicate that OsANN9 may function as a positive regulator in response to drought stress by modulating antioxidant accumulation. Interestingly, the setting rates of osann9 mutant rice plants significantly decreased in comparison to wild-type plants, suggesting that OsANN9 might be involved in other molecular mechanisms in the rice seed development stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling plays a crucial role in lung development and repair. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) can inhibit fibrotic gene expression and suppress the differentiation of pulmonary fibroblasts (PFs) into myofibroblasts in vitro, suggesting that FGF2 is a potential target for inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis. To gain deeper insights into the molecular mechanism underlying FGF2‐mediated regulation of PFs, we performed mRNA sequencing analysis to systematically and globally uncover the regulated genes and biological functions of FGF2 in PFs. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes regulated by FGF2 were enriched in multiple cellular functions including extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, cytoskeleton formation, β‐catenin‐independent Wnt signaling pathway, supramolecular fiber organization, epithelial cell proliferation, and cell adhesion. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and cellular experiments confirmed that FGF2 can suppress ECM and actin filament organization and increase PFs proliferation. Taken together, these findings indicate that FGF2 acts as an upstream regulator of the inhibition of PFs activation and may play a regulatory role in pulmonary fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the capability of persimmon pectin (PP) as a stabilizer for acid milk drinks (AMDs) compared with commercial high-methoxyl pectin (HMP) and sugar beet pectin (SBP). The effectiveness of pectin stabilizers was assessed by analyzing particle size, micromorphology, zeta potential, sedimentation fraction, storage, and physical stability. Results of CLSM images and particle size measurements showed that PP-stabilized AMDs had smaller droplet sizes and more uniform distributions, indicating better stabilization potential compared with the HMP- and SBP-stabilized AMDs. Zeta potential measurements revealed that the addition of PP significantly increased the electrostatic repulsion between particles and prevented aggregation. Moreover, based on the results of Turbiscan and storage stability determination, PP exhibited better physical and storage stability compared with HMP and SBP. The combination of steric repulsion and electrostatic repulsion mechanisms exerted a stabilizing effect on the AMDs prepared from PP. Overall, these findings suggest that PP has promising potential as an AMD stabilizer in the food and beverage industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S. cerevisiae strains were isolated and identified from vineyards and the spontaneous fermentation must at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain in China, and their oenological properties and fermentation abilities were analyzed. From the total of 199 S. cerevisiae strains isolated and identified, 14 isolates (F4-13, F5-7, F5-9, F5-12, F5-18, F5-19, F5-21, F6-8, F6-23, F9-23, SXY-4, HT-10, ZXY-17, MXY-19) exhibited excellent tolerance to sugar, SO2, and ethanol. Among the isolates, the strain F4-13 exhibited the better oenological properties, with low H2S production (+), suitable flocculation ability (58.74%), and reducing-L-malic acid ability (49.07%), and generated high contents of polyphenol, anthocyanin, tannin, terpenes, and higher alcohols, which contributed to the improvement of the red fruity and floral traits of the wines. The obtained results provide a strategy for the selection of indigenous S. cerevisiae for wine fermentation to produce high-quality wine with regional characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Changes in eating habits have made gout a metabolic disease of increasing concern. Previous studies have indicated that there are significant differences in species composition and abundance of gut microbiome in gout patients compared with average. Considering that traditional Chinese medicine has a momentous effect in treating gout, the research study aimed to explore the differences of genomic and metabolomics of gut microbiome before and after traditional Chinese medicine treatment in patients with gout. Method. 30 patients with gout and 29 matched controls were recruited of which 16 patients took H treatment and 14 patients took T treatment. Stools were collected twice for patients before and after treatment and only once for controls. A total of 89 samples were annotated with metagenomic species and functions, and the enrichment analysis of differential genes and KO pathway was carried out. Result. The results showed a decrease in the diversity of gut microbiome in gout patients and the gene abundance and metabolomics had great differences among study groups. The number of bacterial genera also had significant differences among treatment groups. Moreover, among different groups, the regulation of different species was variously correlated. The correlation between species and clinical laboratory indicators in the rising group was stronger than that in the decreasing group and the upregulation of some strain was related to the content of urea nitrogen. Conclusion. After the traditional Chinese medicine treatment, the glutathione pathway was significantly enriched and some pathogenic bacteria were significantly inhibited. The study suggests that traditional Chinese medicine treatment may exert its therapeutic effect by inhibiting relevant pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to obtain new antifreeze peptides (AFPs) that are natural, safe, and high activity from Ctenopharyngodon idella scales. The optimal hydrolysis conditions were investigated, and chromatography-based isolation was conducted using thermal hysteresis activity (THA) as an index. Molecular dynamic simulation (MDs) was explored to reveal the antifreeze mechanism of the AFPs. The results showed that the optimal hydrolysis conditions were 4000 U/g papain enzyme for 60 °C at pH 5.0 and substrate concentration (1:10) for 3 h, as unveiled by single-factor experiment results. The AFPs documented a THA of 2.7 °C when the Th was 1.3 °C. Hydrophilic peptide, named GCFSC-AFPs, with a THA of 5.09 °C when the Th was 1.1 °C was obtained after a series isolation of gel filtration, ion exchange, and reversed-phase HPLC chromatography. The AFPs had a molecular weight of 1107.54~1554.72 Da with three main peptides in the amino acid sequence of VGPAGPSGPSGPQ, RGSPGERGESGPAGPSG, and VGPAGPSGPSGPQG, respectively. The survival rate of yeast with GCFSC-AFPs reached 84.4% following one week of exposure at −20 °C. MDs indicated that GCFSC-AFPs interfered with the ice-water interaction and thus inhibited the ice crystallization process. Our data suggested that the GCFSC-AFPs were a novel and potential antifreeze agent in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the hydrophobic and mechanical properties of paper mulch film, ZnO/SiO2 composite coated paper mulch film was prepared with a brush coating method. Hydrophobicity and durability of the original paper mulch film and the coated paper mulch film were measured by static contact angle and mechanical torsion tests, and the mechanical properties of the two kinds of paper mulch films were measured by tensile and tear tests at different temperatures. The two kinds of paper mulch films were characterized by their micro-morphology and surface element distribution. The results show that the contact angle of the ZnO/SiO2 composite coated paper mulch film reaches 161.46°, and the contact angle can still reach 153.15° after 80 mechanical torsion cycles, which shows good superhydrophobic and hydrophobic durability. Compared with the original paper mulch film, the mechanical properties of the coated paper mulch film are also improved to some extent. Combined with the surface micro-morphology, it is found that a ZnO/SiO2 composite coating fills the pores between fibers in the paper mulch film and promotes the adhesion between fibers, thus improving the hydrophobicity, durability, and mechanical properties of the paper mulch film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial communities in soil serve an important role in controlling terrestrial biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem processes. Increased nitrogen (N) deposition in Northwest China is generating quantifiable changes in many elements of the desert environment, but the impacts of N deposition, as well as seasonal variations, on soil bacterial community composition and structure are poorly understood. We used high-throughput sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes from Gurbantünggüt Desert moss crust soils to study the impacts of N addition on soil bacterial communities in March, May, and November. In November, we discovered that the OTU richness and diversity of soil bacterial community dropped linearly with increasing N input. In November and March, the diversity of the soil bacterial community decreased significantly in the medium-N and high-N treatments. In May, N addition caused a substantial change in the makeup of the soil bacterial composition, while the impacts were far less apparent in November and March. Furthermore, the relative abundance of major bacterial phyla reacted non-linearly to N addition, with high-N additions decreasing the relative richness of Proteobacteria , Bacteroidetes , and Acidobacteria while increasing the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi. We also discovered that seasonality, as characterized by changes in soil moisture, pH, SOC, and AK content, had a significant impact on soil bacterial communities. Significant variations in the makeup of the community were discovered at the phylum and genus levels throughout the various months. In May, the variety of soil bacterial community was at its peak. Further investigation showed that the decrease in soil bacterial diversity was mostly attributed to a drop in soil pH. These results indicated that the impact of N deposition on the soil bacterial community was seasonally dependent, suggesting that future research should evaluate more than one sample season at the same time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary society expects learners to synthesize large amounts of available information and take advantage of interdisciplinary knowledge to tackle complex, real-world issues. STEAM education aims to cultivate students' ability to solve such problems through interdisciplinary thinking but is often represented by courses that are merely disjointed arrays of school subjects. On the other hand, Maker education harnesses society's enthusiasm for technological innovation and creativity but overlooks the scientific principles that underpin these processes. This research presents a novel elementary school course informed by the interdisciplinary principles of STEAM, integrated with Maker's focus on technology and creativity. The course design also utilized engineering design as a meta-thematic framework. A total of 164 third-grade pupils participated in the research, with responses analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The findings indicated that the integrated design of the course promoted pupils' learning motivation, self-efficacy, and acquisition of interdisciplinary knowledge. These effects were not gender-specific and demonstrate the potential applicability of a STEAM/Maker integrated approach to curriculum design in other settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem stability is threatened by multiple global change factors such as drought and elevated nitrogen deposition. Yet, it is still poorly understood whether soil organisms can buffer against such perturbations. Here we focus on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), a common and widespread group of soil fungi. AMF form symbiotic associations with the majority of terrestrial land plants and promote a range of ecosystem services including plant production, diversity and nutrient cycling.We tested whether AMF have the ability to enhance the resistance and resilience of plant communities under soil moisture deficit (hereby drought) and nitrogen deposition. Grassland microcosms with 11 different plant species were established with and without AMF and exposed to elevated nitrogen levels and to an intermittent period of drought.Drought strongly reduced plant productivity and nitrogen cycling, but had limited effects on plant diversity. Nitrogen enrichment reduced plant diversity and increased nitrogen leaching and N2O emissions. The presence of AMF enhanced plant productivity, plant diversity and reduced nitrogen losses. AMF facilitated the resistance of plant productivity and nitrogen cycling to drought and the recovery of the plant community structure back to its pre drought state. Furthermore, AMF also mitigated the adverse effects of nitrogen enrichment on the resistance of multiple ecosystem functions to drought.Synthesis. Our work highlights the integral role of AMF for the stability of ecosystem functioning; AMF are not only able to promote resistance to harsh conditions of global change but also improve resilience by enabling plant communities to recover. These findings underline AMF's insurance capacity to buffer ecosystems against global change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibrio parahaemolyticus has emerged as a significant enteropathogen in human and marine habitats worldwide, notably in regions where aquaculture products constitute a major nutritional source. It is a growing cause of diseases including gastroenteritis, wound infections, and septicemia. Serotyping assays use commercially available antisera to identify V. parahaemolyticus strains, but this approach is limited by high costs, complicated procedures, cross-immunoreactivity, and often subjective interpretation. By leveraging high-throughput sequencing technologies, we developed an in silico method based on comparison of gene clusters for lipopolysaccharide (LPSgc) and capsular polysaccharide (CPSgc) by firstly using the unique-gene strategy. The algorithm, VPsero, which exploits serogroup-specific genes as markers, covers 43 K and all 12 O serogroups in serotyping assays. VPsero is capable of predicting serotypes from assembled draft genomes, outputting LPSgc/CPSgc sequences, and recognizing possible novel serogroups or populations. Our tool displays high specificity and sensitivity in prediction toward V. parahaemolyticus strains, with an average sensitivity in serogroup prediction of 0.910 for O and 0.961 for K serogroups and a corresponding average specificity of 0.990 for O and 0.998 for K serogroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many microorganisms can enter a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state under various environmental stresses, while they can also resuscitate when the surroundings turn to suitable conditions. Cell walls play a vital role in maintaining cellular integrity and protecting cells from ambient threats. Here, we investigated the alterations in the cell wall of Rhodococcus biphenylivorans TG9 at VBNC state under norfloxacin stress and then at resuscitated state in fresh lysogeny broth medium. Electron microscopy analyses presented that TG9 in the VBNC state had a thicker and rougher cell wall than that in exponential phase or resuscitated state. Meanwhile, the results from infrared spectroscopy also showed that its VBNC state has different peptidoglycan structures in the cell wall. Moreover, in the VBNC cells the gene expressions related to cell wall synthesis and remodeling maintain a relatively high level. It indicates that the morphological variations of TG9 at the VBNC state might result from kinetic changes in the cell wall synthesis and remodeling. As a consequence, the alterations in the cell wall of VBNC TG9 may somewhat account for its tolerance mechanisms to antibiotic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural soil contaminated by manure is becoming an important source for the transmission of foodborne pathogens. There is an urgent need for a rapid and accurate method for viable pathogen detection in agricultural soil samples. Propidium monoazide (PMA) is a DNA-binding dye that can inhibit the amplification of DNA from dead cells through subsequent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), thus allowing for viable cells detection and quantification. The objective of this study was to detect viable Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the agricultural soils by PMA-qPCR. In this study, cell extraction and gradient density centrifugation were incorporated before PMA-qPCR to reduce the interference of soil particle including turbidity and a high ratio of dead cells. The optimized treatment conditions were determined as follows, the maximum removal of DNA from dead cells was achieved by 1.067 g/mL Percoll of centrifugation and 50 μM PMA treatment. Under these conditions, the turbidity of paddy soil suspensions decreased from 3500 to 28.4 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU), and the ratio of viable cells to dead cells increased from 0.001 to 1.025%. For typical agricultural soils collected in China, as low as 102colony-forming units (CFU)/g of viable cells could be accurately detected in the presence of a large number of dead cells (107 CFU/g) by the optimized PMA-qPCR. Significantly, with comparable accuracy, the optimized PMA-qPCR assay was more sensitive, accessible and rapid than conventional culture methods. In addition, the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state of E. coli O157:H7 cells in paddy soils, which often escaped the detection by conventional culture methods, could be quantitatively characterized by the optimized PMA-qPCR method. Potentially, the optimized PMA-qPCR can be further applied for viable pathogens detection and give insight into the prevalence of VBNC E. coli O157:H7 in agricultural soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change is one of the most pressing conservation challenges; in particular, changes in precipitation regimes have already substantially influenced terrestrial ecosystems. However, the mechanisms influencing precipitation changes on individual plants and the plant communities in desert grasslands have yet to be fully elucidated. We therefore examine the influence of increased precipitation on plant community compositions in the Gurbantunggut Desert, Xinjiang, northwestern China, from 2005 to 2009. We found that growth of all plant species and the community productivities increased markedly with enhanced water input. Cover of ephemeral synusia also significantly increased due to increased precipitation, implying that the role of the ephemeral community for stabilization of sand dunes was strengthened by increased precipitation. The response of plant community compositions to increased precipitation was primarily reflected as changes in plant density, while increased precipitation did not affect plant species richness and the diversity index. Dominant species drove the response of plant density to increasing precipitation during the five‐year study period. However, the relative responses of rare species were stronger than those of the dominant species, thereby potentially driving species turnover with long‐term increased precipitation. This finding improved our understanding of how increased precipitation drives the changes in plant community composition in desert grasslands and will help to better predict changes in the community composition of ephemerals under future global climate change scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrification plays a crucial role in global nitrogen cycling and treatment processes. However, the relationships between the nitrifier guilds of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) are still poorly understood, especially in freshwater habitats. This study examined the physiological interactions between the AOB and NOB present in a freshwater aquarium biofilter by culturing them, either together or separately, in a synthetic medium. Metagenomic and 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed the presence and the draft genomes of Nitrosomonas-like AOB as well as Nitrobacter-like NOB in the cultures, including the first draft genome of Nitrobacter vulgaris. The nitrifiers exhibited different growth rates with different ammonium (NH4+) or nitrite concentrations (50-1,500 μM) and the growth rates were elevated under a high bicarbonate (HCO3-) concentration. The half-saturation constant (Ks for NH4 +), the maximum growth rate (μmax), and the lag duration indicated a strong dependence on the synergistic relationships between the two guilds. Overall, the ecophysiological and metagenomic results in this study provided insights into the phylogeny of the key nitrifying players in a freshwater biofilter and showed that interactions between the two nitrifying guilds in a microbial community enhanced nitrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to conventional high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), ultrastable HIPEs have recently attracted much attention due to much better stability and protection for bioactive compounds. Here, novel food-grade ultrastable HIPEs were successfully constructed. By simply mixing two individual unstable HIPEs (instability in 3 months in open atmosphere) stabilized by ternary complexes of protein (i.e., lactoferrin), two polyphenols (i.e., (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate and curcumin) and two anionic polysaccharides (i.e., κ-carrageenan and low methoxylated pectin), respectively, ultrastable mixed-HIPEs (very stable for 1 year or more in open atmosphere) were achieved unexpectedly. The two individual HIPEs underwent liquid-to-gel and viscous-to-elastic transitions during mixing, exhibiting strong structural synergism. The stabilization was ascribed to the electrostatic repulsive interactions and the formed interpenetrating polymer networks hydrogels in continuous phases; their contribution varied according to the binding sequences of protein, polyphenol, and polysaccharide (for ternary complexes) and the combination modes of individual HIPEs (for mixed-HIPEs). The excellent soft material properties of ternary complexes can provide guarantee for the stsability of emulsion droplets, avoiding their rupture caused by strong squeezing in mixed-HIPEs. This finding greatly expands the type of food grade ultrastable HIPEs. Overall, the novel food-grade ultrastable mixed-HIPEs will offer fascinating opportunities for their future applications in food, medical, cosmetic, and tissue engineering products. • Two high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) are stabilized by ternary complexes. • Ultrastable HIPEs are achieved by simply mixing two unstable ones. • The stabilization can be mainly ascribed to the electrostatic repulsive interactions. • The interpenetrating polymer networks hydrogels are formed in continuous phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil microorganisms represent one of the largest biodiversity reservoirs. However, most low-abundance, slow-growing or dormant microorganisms in soils are difficult to capture with traditional enrichment culture methods. These types of microorganisms represent a valuable "microbial seed bank". To better exploit and utilize this "microbial dark matter", we developed a novel strategy that integrates single-cell-level isolation with microfluidics technology and culture with resuscitation-promoting factor (Rpf) to isolate biphenyl-degrading bacteria from four typical soils (paddy soil, red soil, alluvial soil and black soil) in eastern China. Multitudinous bacteria were successfully isolated and cultured; some of the identified clades have not been previously linked to biphenyl biodegradation, such as Actinotalea , Curtobacterium and Rothia. Soil microcosmic experiments validated that some bacteria are responsible for biphenyl degradation in soil. In addition, genomic sequencing and Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA genes indicated that exogenous Rpf mainly promotes the recovery and growth of bacteria containing endogenous Rpf-encoding genes. In summary, this study provides a novel strategy for capturing target functional microorganisms in soils, indicates potential bioresources for the bioremediation of contaminated soils, and enhances our current understanding of the mechanisms involved in the response to exogenous Rpf. [Display omitted] • A novel strategy was developed to capture target functional microorganisms in soils. • Seed banks of biphenyl-degrading bacteria from four soils were established. • The mechanism involved in the response to exogenous Rpf was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CircRNA interact with protein to regulate the PM 2.5 -induced inflammatory responses. • Circ_406961 inhibit PM 2.5 -induced BEAS-2B cells inflammatory responses. • ILF2 affect inflammatory response via STAT3/JNK signal pathway. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) has been verified to augmented the incidence of pneumonia, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and other pulmonary diseases. Airway inflammation is the pathological basis of the respiratory system, and understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for airway inflammation may thus support the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases. In our study, human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were exposed to various concentrations of PM 2.5 for 48 h. PM 2.5 entered the cells, resulting in increased production of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) and decreased the expression of circular RNA 406961 (circ_406961). Further, PM 2.5 with a concentration of 75 μg/mL was applied to mechanism study. Functional experiments further confirmed that circ_406961 inhibited PM 2.5 -induced BEAS-2B cell inflammation. RNA pull-down and mass spectrometry showed that circ_406961 interacted with interleukin enhancer-binding factor 2 (ILF2), which could regulate phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8, JNK). Our studies showed that circ_406961 inhibited activation of STAT3/JNK pathways via interacting with ILF2 protein, thereby inhibiting the PM 2.5 -induced inflammatory reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) occurs slowly when the degrading bacteria enter a low activity state, such as a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state, under unfavorable environmental conditions. The introduction of resuscitation-promoting factor (Rpf) can re-activate VBNC bacteria. This study tested the feasibility of enhancing PCB biodegradation via supplementing Rpf in liquid culture and soil microcosms inoculated with Rhodococcus biphenylivorans strain TG9T. Exogenous Rpf resuscitated TG9T cells that had previously entered the VBNC state after 90 d of nutrient starvation, resulting in the significantly enhanced degradation of PCB by 24.3% over 60 h in liquid medium that originally contained 50 mg L−1 Aroclor 1242. In soil microcosms containing 50 mg kg−1 Aroclor 1242 and inoculated with VBNC TG9T cells, after 49 d of supplementation with Rpf, degradation efficiency of PCB reached 34.2%, which was significantly higher than the control. Our results confirmed that exogenous Rpf resuscitated VBNC TG9T cells by stimulating endogenous expression of rpf gene orthologs. The enhanced PCB-degrading capability was likely due to the increased cell numbers and the strong expression of PCB catabolic genes. This study demonstrated the role of Rpf in enhancing PCB degradation via resuscitating PCB-degrading bacteria, indicating a promising approach for the remediation of PCB contamination. Image 1 • VBNC state was studied for Rhodococcus biphenylivorans strain TG9T. • Rpf resuscitated VBNC TG9T cells and enhanced PCB biodegradation. • Exogenous Rpf stimulated endogenous expression of rpf and PCB catabolic genes. • Results highlight the feasibility of enhancing aerobic PCB degradation using Rpf. Results highlight the role of Rpf in enhancing PCB degradation via resuscitating PCB-degrading bacteria, indicating a promising approach for the remediation of PCB contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) is closely related to the occurrence and development of airway inflammation. Exploration of the role of PM 2.5 in inflammation is the first step towards clarifying the harmful effects of particulate pollution. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying PM 2.5 -induced airway inflammation are yet to be fully established. In this study, we focused on the specific roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in PM 2.5 -induced airway inflammation. In a human bronchial epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B, PM 2.5 at a concentration of 75 μg/mL induced the inflammatory response. Microarray and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses revealed significant upregulation of circRNA104250 and lncRNAuc001.dgp.1 during the PM 2.5 -induced inflammatory response in this cell line. Data from functional analyses further showed that both molecules promote an inflammatory response. CircRNA104250 and lncRNAuc001.dgp.1 target miR-3607-5p and affect expression of interleukin 1 receptor 1 (IL1R1), which influences the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. In summary, we have uncovered an underlying mechanism of airway inflammation by PM 2.5 involving regulation of ncRNA for the first time, which provides further insights into the toxicological effects of PM 2.5. Image 1 • CircRNA and lncRNA mediate the PM 2.5 -induced inflammatory response in BEAS-2B cells. • CircRNA and lncRNA augment PM 2.5 -induced IL-6 and IL-8 section. • CircRNA and lncRNA affect inflammatory response via NF-κB signal pathway. • CircRNA and lncRNA co-target miRNA in PM 2.5 -exposed BEAS-2B cells. Main findings of the work: CircRNA104250 and lncRNAuc001.dgp.1 promote the PM 2.5 -induced inflammatory response by co-targeting miR-3607-5p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

circNOL10 is a circular RNA expressed at low levels in lung cancer, though its functions in lung cancer remain unknown. Here, the function and molecular mechanism of circNOL10 in lung cancer development are investigated using in vitro and in vivo studies, and it is shown that circNOL10 significantly inhibits the development of lung cancer and that circNOL10 expression is co‐regulated by methylation of its parental gene Pre‐NOL10 and by splicing factor epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1). circNOL10 promotes the expression of transcription factor sex comb on midleg‐like 1 (SCML1) by inhibiting transcription factor ubiquitination and thus also affects regulation of the humanin (HN) polypeptide family by SCML1. circNOL10 also affects mitochondrial function through regulating the humanin polypeptide family and affecting multiple signaling pathways, ultimately inhibiting cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, and promoting the apoptosis of lung cancer cells, thereby inhibiting lung cancer development. This study investigates the functions and molecular mechanisms of circNOL10 in the development of lung cancer and reveals its involvement in the transcriptional regulation of the HN polypeptide family by SCML1. The results also demonstrate the inhibitory effect of HN on lung cancer cells growth. These findings may identify novel targets for the molecular therapy of lung cancer. This study provides new evidence for the molecular mechanism whereby circRNAs may affect transcriptional regulation in lung cancer cells, and also reveals that circNOL10 inhibits lung cancer development by promoting SCLM1‐mediated transcriptional regulation of the humanin (HN) polypeptide family. The results also demonstrate the inhibitory effect of HN on lung cancer growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• B[ a ]P induces DNA damage response (DDR) in bronchial epithelial cells. • B[ a ]P upregulates circ_0057504 through suppressing DNMT3A-mediated DNA methylation. • Circ_0057504 promotes B[ a ]P-induced DDR via modulating NONO-SFPQ complex formation. Benzo[ a ]pyrene (B[ a ]P) is a class I carcinogen and hazardous environmental pollutant with genetic toxicity. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic deterioration and epigenetic alterations induced by environmental contaminants may contribute to the early detection and prevention of cancer. However, the role and regulatory mechanisms of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the B[ a ]P-induced DNA damage response (DDR) have not been elucidated. In this study, human bronchial epithelial cell lines (16HBE and BEAS-2B) were exposed to various concentrations of B[ a ]P, and BALB/c mice were treated with B[ a ]P intranasally. B[ a ]P exposure was found to induce DNA damage and upregulate circular RNA hsa_circ_0057504 (circ_0057504) expression in vitro and in vivo. In addition, B[ a ]P upregulated TMEM194B mRNA and circ_0057504 expression through inhibition of DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A) expression in vitro. Modulation (overexpression or knockdown) of circ_0057504 expression levels using a lentiviral system in human bronchial epithelial cells revealed that circ_0057504 promoted B[ a ]P-induced DNA damage. RNA pull-down and western blot assays showed that circ_0057504 interacted with non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding (NONO) and splicing factor proline and glutamine rich (SFPQ) proteins and regulated formation of the NONO-SFPQ protein complex. Thus, our findings indicate that circ_0057504 acts as a novel regulator of DNA damage in human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to B[ a ]P. The current study reveals novel insights into the role of circRNAs in the regulation of genetic damage, and describes the effect and regulatory mechanisms of circ_0057504 on B[ a ]P genotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to high concentrations of copper is associated with pulmonary inflammation and chronic respiratory disease (CRD). Epigenetic modulation of noncoding RNAs contributes to the development of several CRDs. It is unknown whether epigenetic modulation is involved in copper mediated pulmonary inflammation and CRD. We conducted a case-control study of 101 CRD cases and 161 control subjects in Shijiazhuang, China, and evaluated circRNAs and cytokine levels (IL-6 and IL-8) by qPCR and ELISA. Urinary copper concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Linear mixed models and generalized linear mixed models were used to assess the associations of circRNAs with CRD, urinary copper, and cytokines. We exposed the human bronchial epithelial cell line, 16HBE, to copper and assessed the functional role of a circRNA, circ_0008882, by RNA overexpression. Cellular location of circ_0008882 was assessed by separation of nuclear and cytoplasmic RNAs. Nine circRNAs were associated with an increased risk for CRDs, while the relative expression of circ_0008882 was decreased after copper exposure in vitro and in vivo. Copper exposure stimulated 16HBE cells to release proinflammatory IL-6 and IL-8. The release of the cytokines was inhibited by overexpression of circ_0008882. These results suggest a role for circ_0008882 in the regulation of CRD associated inflammation following copper exposure. [Display omitted] • Circular RNA, circ_0008882, is related to chronic respiratory disease. • Expression of circ_0008882 decreases after copper exposure in vitro and in vivo. • IL-6 and IL-8, induced by copper, are inhibited by overexpression of circ_0008882. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mulberry anthocyanins shielded β-lactoglobulin against glycation through different mechanisms. • Mulberry anthocyanins dose-dependently mitigated creation of advanced glycation end-products. • Mulberry anthocyanins trapped glyoxal more than methylglyoxal and formed some glyoxal adducts. • Mulberry anthocyanins declined protein-glucose binding and structurally blocked lysyl sites. • Mulberry anthocyanins could be beneficially valorised as functional antiglycation ingredients. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which instigate many disorders, are mostly mediated by dicarbonyl rearrangements. We studied the corresponding mechanisms of the anti-glycation effects of two anthocyanins purified from mulberry fruits, namely cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) and cyanidin 3-rutinoside (C3R), on glycated β-lactoglobulins (β-Lg). Both mulberry anthocyanins (MAs) inhibited the AGEs-formation in a dose-dependent manner, but the effect of C3R was significantly stronger than that of C3G (p < 0.05). MAs inhibited AGEs-formation by selectively trapping dicarbonyls, especially glyoxal. The UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS results characterized that C3R formed mono- and di-glyoxal adducts, where C3G only created di-glyoxal adducts. Additionally, C3R could directly interact with some of the glycation sites of β-Lg. Overall, GO-trapping and β-Lg-MAs covalent/noncovalent binding are disclosed as the key mechanisms of the anti-AGEs activity of MAs on β-Lg, which could be valorised as effectual AGEs inhibitors in proteins-rich matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]